Sept. 10--A reputed gang member wanted in a homicide investigation was arrested after he led Chicago police on a chase on the South Side, then tried to run away after crashing his car, authorities said.
Officers spotted the suspect with two other people at 76th and State streets around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday after searching for him for two days, authorities said. An arrest warrant had been issued for him Aug. 21.
One of the people with the suspect was arrested at 76th and State after a confrontation with police. But the suspect and the third person sped away in a car, authorities said.
The car crashed about 4 miles away, at 95th Street and Vincennes Avenue, authorities said. Police arrested the third person there but the suspect ran off. He was found hiding in a garage near 95th and Peoria streets.
Earlier, citing preliminary information, police said the suspect had opened fire on an officer at 76th and State, prompting the officer to return fire. But early Thursday, authorities couldn't say for certain who fired shots.
A gun was recovered from the crashed vehicle, authorities said. No injuries were reported.
The suspect was wanted in the fatal shooting of Dwayne L. Thomas, 20, on Aug. 19 in the 7400 block of South Harvard Avenue in the Englewood neighborhood. One other arrest has been made in the killing.
The suspect arrested Wednesday night -- whose name has not been officially released -- has a criminal history that includes a felony conviction in 2013 for illegal gun possession for which he was sentenced to boot camp.
Late Wednesday evening, several neighbors and passers-by gathered near 95th and Halsted and watched as dozens of police officers searched for the suspect. Two Pace buses stood near the intersection, temporarily delayed by the manhunt.
Michelle Hardgrove, who lives near the intersection, stood with her 16-year-old daughter at 95th and Halsted.
She said she saw squad cars zoom past her window and heard a loud boom.
"It used to be quiet over here," said Hardgrove, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 40 years. "We never had this much drama before."
